Statement attributable to the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on the confirmation of the new Somalia Prime Minister

The Secretary-General commends the Somali leadership, particularly President Sheikh Sharif, the Speaker of Parliament, Sharif Hassan, and members of the Transitional Federal Parliament on reaching a consensus on procedural arrangements that allowed for the confirmation of the new Prime Minister through a consultative and transparent process.

The Secretary-General also congratulates Prime Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed on his new appointment and encourages him to form his cabinet without further delay in order to complete the priority tasks of the transitional period.

The Secretary-General deeply appreciates the efforts of his Special Representative, Augustine Mahiga, in cooperation with the African Union and IGAD, and with the support of the wider international community, in helping to resolve the political stalemate. He hopes that the Transitional Federal Institutions will continue with this spirit of putting the interest of their nation first, for the sake of unity, stability and peace for the Somali people.